Hoosier Mountain Bike Association

 Versailles State Park, Indiana, is located in the southeastern corner of the state. It is the second largest State Park in Indiana. Driving time is 45 minutes from Cincinnati, OH, and 90 minutes from Indianapolis, IN.  The park entrance is one mile east of the town of Versailles, IN, on Highway 50.

 The mountain bike trailhead is located adjacent to the swimming pool parking lot. There is a seasonal fee for entry into Versailles State Park. The park also offers a large campground, hiking trails, a 230 acre lake with boat rentals, and a swimming pool with a great slide. There are rest room facilities, (no showers), available at the end of the Camp Store/Nature center building by the lake. When the swimming pool is open, a shower and dip can be had for a few bucks. It’s an excellent way to end a hot, sweaty day of fun.

   All of the mountain biking trails at VSP are intermediate level, except for the beginner’s loop at the start of the trail system. At present there are 9 miles of single-track available for your riding pleasure. Due to out and back sections, you will end up riding about 12 miles if you ride all the trails. The trails ride equally well in either direction, so your mileage can easily reach close to 20 miles by mixing up the different loops. There are also 2 miles of fire roads that intersect the Grandview Loop, and they are handy for changing the length of that loop. There is 1800 ft of elevation change on the trail system. The terrain is varied, ranging from open, huge hardwood hilltops to dense, jungle type areas, filled with Cedar, Spice, and other trees, bushes, and thick vines. You will be almost continually climbing or descending while riding at Versailles due to the many ravines and water crossings. The spring wildflower display is especially nice at VSP.

  Perhaps the best attribute of riding at Versailles State Park is the remoteness of its location. If you’re looking for that cool little backwoods corner of the world, where you can ride great mountain bike specifically designed trails, without seeing a bunch of other people, Versailles is your place. There is a trail map box mounted on a pole at the start of the Turtle Loop. Maps are also on the park brochure available at the entrance gate.

Trail Descriptions;

Turtle Loop; The only easy trail in the system. It starts at the trailhead across from the swimming pool parking lot. 1 mile long, twisty single track thru thick woods with a fire road downhill section.

Creekside Trail; 1.4 miles long, one way. It runs alongside Laughery Creek, which is very wide and deep in this section. The toughest trail at VSP, it features long rocky sections with an optional, tricky rock armored hill across a interesting mudslide zone. Notice the big tree standing beside the trail. It used to be at the top of the ridge and gradually slide down to its present spot. The trail ends with a gradual 200 ft hill climb along steep drop-offs. There is also a good sized creek crossing and a switchback.

Center loop; 1.5 miles long. It runs thru dense woods, and along steep hillsides. Half of the loop is very tight and twisty, and the other half is more open and faster, but with some 100' drop-offs to keep you on your toes.   It has a whoop-de-doo section and 2 small creek crossings. Nice views of some small waterfalls.

Grandview loop; 5.3 miles long. This trail has something for everyone. There are many fast flowing sections, some on the edge of 150 ft cliffs. Tight, twisting trail sections with many rock armored creek crossings. Some of the best river valley views in the state. Split logs are placed across some continually wet areas that add a different dimension to the ride. A ½ mile long, machine built section has many ups and downs that are great fun to cruise on through the huge trees and hilltops. Try to ride the Grandview in both directions to fully appreciate the different long downhill runs….. Grin inducing!
 
Future trails;
A large grant has been awarded to HMBA by the State of Indiana, part of which will be used to build more trails at Versailles State Park. We hope to have another 6 miles of beginner thru expert level trails in the near future.

Please check out the Photo Gallery on this website for some great pictures of the trails and the wonderful people who made them happen. How soon the new trails get build depends on YOUR volunteering to help. Look on the Versailles, HMBA forum for trail build days. No experience needed, a splendid time guaranteed.
Versailles State Park is 70 miles from Indianapolis, (INT 465 and 74 interchange) and the drive takes about 1hr, 25 minutes.
Directions; Take Int 74 to Greensburg, 
                Take Hwy 421 South for 25 miles, 
                Left on Hwy 50, go through the Town of Versailles,
                Park entrance is 1 mile outside of town, on the left.

The Town of Versailles has a McDonald's, a pizza joint called Ernie's, and the Yellow Dog Pub on the downtown square.  Lodging is available in Batesville, IN.

Guy Schwering, Versailles Trail Steward.